Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-06-09
A SAD BONANZA KING.
He is Mourning His Life Away Over the Loss
of His Wife.

q SAD DONANLA hlNU.
He is Mourning His Life Away Over the Loss
of His Wife.
Helena (Mon.) Cor San Francisco Examiner.
There is probably no man in Montana
as sad as Tommy Cruise. With all his
money ae is unable to erase from his
memory the event of month ago. For
a year previous his life was dream of
love-pure and simple and as lasting as
the rock of ages. And the once happy
smile is changed to a look so sad and full
of mourning that the happiness Of even
his friends appear TO be clouded. Only a
short year ago he had led bride to the
altar. and she had now passed away, leay-
ing him alone and childless-a lonely man
as he was before the hymenial bond
linked him to the happiest year of his
life.
The career of this three times over
millionaire is full of interest.
Not many years ago he could be found
at the bottom of his claim with pick and
shovel, working for the treasure he
never lost hope Of finding. He had passed
the middle age, but was healthy and ro
bust, and up to week before he made his
big discovery he was as poor as when he
first lifted shovel as miner.
While engaged in this manner he met a
young lady, who was kind and respectful
to him. The yoang LADY was Miss Carter.
of distinguished birth, though poor. She
was amiable, retiring, and her modest
disposition captured the heart of the
poor miner. He was many years her SEN
ior, but his noble bearing and unselfsh
ways impressed her, and mutual like
ripened into love. During the years
which succeeded their meeting he worked
with the one ambition and aim. To Sc
cure the means to marry and live COM
fortabiy was a thought which kept him
struggling for fortune. When it came he
was only less happy than on the day Of
his wedding.
He was delvlng away many feet below
the surface in rough mountain country
when he struck into vein Of rich ore. A
week after he sold his claim for $4,000,
600.
Tommy's first thought was of Miss Car
ter-if for one instant he had forgotten
her-wishing to marry her Immediately
For time the ceremony was pOstpon-
cd. 1t is said that she preferred him as
poor miner to a bOnonza king, But
pleading will break any resolution a
woman has formed, and being unable to
withstand Tommy Cruises pleadings,
| she consented to become his wife.
The wedding was the grandest affair of
its kind that ever took place in the Terri
tory 1t was a gala day for Helena.
Courts were adjourned, business places
were closed and men from all parts of
Montana focked to the city to attend
the ceremony. Tommy Cruise was well
known and well-liked, and Helena intend
cd hot ha
never forget. The invitation he extend
ed was general. Every one was invited.
Banners were playing gayly with the
winds and arches were erected along the
Cosmopolitan Hotel, which was filled
with flowers and floral decorations. Wine
flowed like water. Everything was free.
Beggars were treated like Kings. Even
John Chinaman was not forgotten. In
! the guests reception rooms stood dark
sentinels, ready to do the bidding of
those assembled. If it happened that
anyone was missed in the distribution of
wine and edibles 1T was through their
sheer modesty and not the fault of Tom
my Cruise.
The day of festivities lergtheued to
week, and during that time the pioneers
of the territory knew not whether they
were in Helena or at home. It seems
only a day since that time. I was pres
ent at the wedding and remember Tom
my coming to me with a smiling coun-
tenance and stating that it was the hap
piest moment of his life. He was unlike
his guests-he did not drink to excess
and was not intoxicated for single mo-
ment during the week.
| When he asked the amount of his bill
he was told it was $4,000. He paid it
as though it was a mere item. Includ,
ing all expenses, Tommy Cruises we'd
ding cost about $4,000.
Now all is over. The past month has
made a big change in him, and his
friends are advising him to try change
OF climate. I don't think it will do him
much good. Life to him has few charms,
and he has said that if he had passed to
the grave with her he loved he would
heve been happy.
CHINA'S ROYAL, HAREM